Lyon fans receive match ban & three supporters in custody after racist gestures

Olympique Lyonnais supporters have received a one-away-match ban for racist gestures made towards the Olympique de Marseille fans during the abandoned Choc des Olympiques on 29th October.

Lyon fans, as well as the club’s team bus were attacked en route to the Vélodrome in late October, however, once inside the stadium, Lyon fans were guilty of making racist gestures and chants towards the home fans. CCTV in the stadium have also allowed the authorities to identify some of the perpetrators of the racist acts, with monkey chants and nazi salutes directed towards the OM fans.

Three supporters, two of whom are close to the fascist Mezza fan group, were placed in custody on Tuesday, as reported by RTL. The three suspects are ages 27, 33 and 34. The trio are charged with “racist insults based on ethnicity, nationality, race or religion, public provocation to hate or violence because of ethnicity, nationality, race or religion and bringing signs or symbols that incite ethnic, national, racial or religious-based hatred into a sports stadium,” according to the Marseille Public Prosecutor, as reported by France Info.

Whilst there could be repercussions on an individual level, Lyon have also been punished collectively. As the LFP’s disciplinary committee announced on Wednesday, OL have received an away stadium ban for four matches, however, three of those matches are suspended. Lyon proactiveness in providing evidence to allow the prosecution of individuals was a key contributor towards a less severe punishment, according to L’Équipe.